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An elephant going for an evening walk when he bumped into a mouse. They started walking together and while they were busy chatting, the elephant stamped a pig on his feet. He said sorry but the pig didn’t stop crying. Sad and guilty, both decided to make him smile by singing a song. Eventually, the pig smiled. They became friends and decided to have more fun together.

Reading for your child is the best activity to the little minds when they are away from exploring the world with their little hands and feet. Each time the kids sees the colour pictures of their favorite characters speaking the same language like us, their longing for more always fascinates us. And the funny noises we make, the special effects we give, the add­-ons we do, compels them to add reading to their to­-do fun-list.

Reading a book before bed time is ok, but sometimes the so called “Story Book Time” comes unscheduled and we often hesitate. “When will I finish my chores?”, “I am too tired now, I am just back from office?” and “It’s so boring to read the same book over and over again.” becomes some of our common excuses and we try to push it for later. But, needless to say, the wonders the books do are many. How easily we can plop the food inside while they open their mouth delighted over something. How easily the books succeed to pass on the right messages. And then the pleasing smile, we see on their face while falling asleep over a bedtime story, always keeps us going.

Some tips for a fun time reading:­

1) Choosing the right book : ​Think what your child likes, considering his / her age level. Be it a toy they are attached to or a rhyme they always sings. When they see the same thing over a printed paper, their curiosity shoots.

2) S​peak like the characters:​ Make weird noises, create special effect, you never know when your stress just goes away from a tiring day after having a good laugh with them.

3) Give them authority: ​While you handle the reading part, ask them to hold the book. In the meantime, use your hands to finish up on cutting the remaining vegetables.

4) A​sk questions:​ Ask them whom do they see in the book, what they are doing and whatever you see catchy in the book. We always get surprised when they say exactly the same way we recited, the last time.

4) Change the mood: Kids love to explore new things. And when they see you sleepy over the same book, they lose interest too. Grab the chance and change the book.

5) V​isit the nearest library: T​alk about it and make it a fun outing like the park. They get more curious when they get to choose their own books. After they are done, tell them it’s now Mommy/Daddy’s turn to choose a book.

Benefits of Reading:­

1) Bonding Time​­: We get a chance to snuggle up close with our kid with a book and enjoy some calm time. We never get the same chance when they are always running and jumping as they grow older.

2) Develop vocabulary skills:​ Early reading develops vocabulary and literacy skills. How a word produces sound and the combination of words forming a sentence makes different sounds helps them in speaking.

3) Love for Books:​ Early reading promotes interest on books. They might prefer books over television, CDs, games etc. This also might continue as they grow older.

4) Boost confidence:​ When they are ready for school, reading to them helps them to gain confidence on how to deal with things independently without their parents.

5) Logical Thinking:​ When kids are always busy finding logic over something we say, books help us to answer them on our behalf.

Well it is great for your toddler as they see their mother cooking all the time in the kitchen.

The pinch of this, a pinch of that, the colorful vegetables always fascinates a child. And then comes the smell of haven. They love to explore things in this amazing world and especially when it is something which they are not allowed to do, doesn’t it sound interesting? They know baking with their toys is never same. It definitely does not give them the same satisfaction.

But when we think of the mess they might make, we shiver with fear. How will I ever finish cooking? How will I ever clean up the happy spills? Always the escape route is- Cook while the baby is sleeping. If we can get past the horror of cleaning the floor, the kitchen, the dishes, the cloths and of course the happy little mischief maker, we will understand how much fun it is to see their unrestrained happiness. Their awestruck smile when they lick the cake batter from their fingers. And then their satisfied first bite of the cake they cooked with you.

Baking with your kid is a very good way to connect and the results are delicious. Right from the mixing the batter, frosting the cake and making their favorite cookies of different shapes, sizes and of course decorating it with their favorite color.

Well here are few tips to get you going:

1) Talk about it: remind them of the cake they like or the cookie that daddy liked. It will excite them that with just few whips and bakes they will soon be eating one of their favorites.

2) Let them do it: You can measure the ingredients but let them mix it. Kids love to smear greasy stuff. So let them grease the baking tray till you do the final mixing.

3) Let them imagine: Use different color frosting and while decorating let their imagination go wild. It might not be the perfect store decorated cake or cookie but your child will eat them haphazardly cooked cake with more enthusiasm.

And while doing all this have fun. Put their favorite song and sing with them.

Benefits:

1) Bonding: It’s a great way to bond with your toddler as they get a feeling that we trust them to do a job or to help us.

2) Build self esteem: When they see what they helped to create it gives them a great sense of self accomplishment.

3) Follow directions: Asking and showing them what needs to be done next, gives them a sense of following directions.

4) Creativity: When they make their own design of their cookies it encourages them to be more creative.

5) Patience: This is something which is very hard for the toddlers. The waiting time involved here will teach them how to be patient.

Safety tips:

1) Always accompany your toddler in the kitchen

2) Wash hands before starting

3) Wear apron to protect clothes.

4) Use plastic containers instead of glass to avoid breakage

5) Ensure your kid understands that the Oven is something out of bounds for them.